Robert Walker Comments on Biden’s Ethics Pledge and Proposed Lobbying Reforms in H.R. 1

January 28, 2021

Robert L. Walker, of counsel in Wiley’s Election Law & Government Ethics Practice, was quoted in a Communications Daily story on President Biden’s Executive Order (EO) that sets stringent ethics rules for incoming Executive branch appointees.

The EO’s ethics requirements go beyond President Obama’s ethics pledge in some ways, Mr. Walker noted. For example, it includes a “golden parachute” ban on payment or salary from a former employer contingent on accepting a government position, he said.

In addition, the EO also directs the U.S. Office of Government Ethics (OGE) to recommend steps on expanding the “revolving door” ban to all Executive branch employees involved in procurement – although it remains to be seen what the OGE can or will do, Mr. Walker said.

Mr. Walker also commented on the For the People Act (H.R. 1), legislation introduced earlier this month, according to Communications Daily. The bill contains some lobbying disclosure changes that could receive bipartisan support, while other aspects of the legislation are likely to face opposition, he said.